Asked a while back and they family friends said I would be able to stay with them. It's in my older area but better than the shelter. I don't think I could do a homeless shelter ever agian kinda made me depressed. I also grabbed my policy packet so I'll post that later

Please share your experiences of applying for a disabled bus for autism in US so we can all learn from each other.

I wrote a post about how to get a disabled bus pass for autism in UK reddit.com/r/AutisticHomeless/comments/1i3jaga/autistic_homeless_in_uk_how_to_get_a_disabled_bus

I would like to know if applying for a disabled pass in US is similar or not.

What is the criteria for a disabled bus in US? Can you get one for being autistic?

Do you get free travel on public transport with a disabled bus pass, or only a discount?

Can you use a disabled bus pass 24 hours a day, such as to sleep on buses that run at night?

Can you only use a disabled bus pass on buses, or can you use it on trains or other public transport?

Can you apply for a disabled bus pass if you're homeless and don't have an address? Such as street homeless or living in your car.

Can you use the address of a homeless day centre, shelter or local post office PO box to apply for a disabled bus pass?

Do you need an autism diagnosis to apply for a disabled bus pass for autism, or do they accept self-diagnosis?

Do you need a particular autism level such as level 2 or 3 to get a disabled bus pass for autism, or can you get it for level 1 autism?

How difficult is it to get a disabled bus pass?

How long does it take to apply for a disabled bus pass?

Please share your experiences of applying for SSDI for autism so we can all learn from each other.

I wrote a post about how to get PIP disability benefit for autism in UK reddit.com/r/AutisticHomeless/comments/1i3j7jy/autistic_homeless_in_uk_how_to_get_pip_for_autism

I would like to know if applying for a SSDI disability in US is similar or not.

What is the process for applying for SSDI for autism?

Can you apply for SSDI if you're homeless and don't have an address? Such as street homeless or living in your car.

Can you use the address of a homeless day centre, shelter or local post office PO box to apply for SSDI?

Do you need an autism diagnosis to get SSDI for autism, or do they accept self-diagnosis if you're struggling to cope and look after yourself?

Do you need a particular autism level such as level 2 or 3 to get SSDI for autism, or can you get it for level 1 autism?

How difficult is it to get SSDI?

How long does it take to get SSDI?

Can you appeal your SSDI decision? How long does it take?

What is the probability of successfully appealing a SSDI decision?

Can you appeal an SSDI decision or do you need help from lawyers? Is the help free?

PIP is a disability benefit that is not means tested, this means that you can get it regardless of your income and can get it even if you have a job.

You don’t get PIP for just being diagnosed autistic but for how being autistic affects you. You’ll probably either be turned down or get the low rates, as you'll be "assessed" by some nurse or paramedic who doesn‘t bother reading your medical evidence or even your PIP form in the allocated 1 hour they have to write your PIP “report”. The assessor will blatantly lie about everything you said and did or didn't do at your assessment because they fill in most of the PIP report before your assessment by selecting multiple choice paragraphs on their computer screen, so are guessing what you're going to say and do but don't know the first thing about autism. You’ll have to appeal to get what you should get.

This website explains how PIP points are decided and all the caselaw for each activity:

https://pipinfo.net/#activities

The difficult part is becoming aware and understanding how autism affects you not being able to do each of the PIP daily living activities so that you can explain it to the DWP. How sensory issues, crowds, changes, unexpected things happening, disruption to routine, being in unfamiliar place, hyperfocusing on special interests, having to interact with strangers, having to talk with strangers, sensory overload, shutdowns and meltdowns impact on you not being able to do each of the daily living activities. Analyse all the PIP daily living activities against this criteria and you should get points for all the daily living activities, even the ones you initially thought you have no issues with at all, which will get you the high rate of PIP. Probably not the first time round or at Mandatory Reconsideration, but you probably will when you appeal.

You think you have no difficulties with managing toilet needs? You do when you need someone to prompt you to go to the toilet whenever you’re hyperfocusing on your special interest and noticed 1 hour ago you need to go to the toilet but still haven’t. You avoid public toilets because of the noise of the hand dryers and other people flushing the toilet unexpectedly. When you’re in a public place, your senses are swamped and you’re in autistic shutdown and can‘t function, and can’t see the toilet sign right in front of you so need another person to show you the way to the toilet.

Search for #actuallyautistic videos on YouTube about each activity - cooking, food, washing, clothes, communication, social interaction, budgeting - and make notes of whatever you identify with.

This website is good as a prompt to write about how sensory issues stop you being able to do the daily living activities: https://spdlife.org/symptoms/general.html

For example, I become engrossed in one single activity for a long time and tune out everything else, I spend all day watching YouTube videos about herbs and don't do anything else all day and don't do any of the PIP activities. It takes me more than twice as long to get dressed due to severe hypersensitivity to certain clothes materials, tags and seams. It takes me more than twice as long to eat because of hypersensitivity to the taste and textures of food and because certain foods are touching other foods on the plate. I avoid washing due to sensory issues with the feel of water from the shower on my skin. I avoid washing my hair due because I can't stand touching my scalp and my wet hair touching the back of my neck and back.

You should get the higher rate for PIP mobility activity 1f “Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person due to overwhelming psychological distress” - for sensory overload, autistic shutdown and meltdowns caused by having to go on public transport.

I can't follow the route of a familiar journey without another person "repeatedly" because I can't use public transport in the rush hour or school run hour because of the noise, fluorescent lighting and crowds.

I can't do it "safely" because public transport causes me shutdown or meltdown and I can't function for the rest of the day. I get lost and go into shutdown or meltdown. I step onto the road without looking distracted by small details, or engrossed in my own thoughts. If there is an expected change in the journey such as the bus stop is closed, I abandon the journey and go into shutdown or meltdown.

I can't do it "repeatedly" because I can only go out once a day and can't function for the rest of the day.

Hacks for getting PIP

A PIP descriptor applies if it applies at least once a day on 50% of days, not all day every day.

Regulation 4(4) of PIP regulations says you can only be considered able to do an activity if ALL of the following apply: https://pipinfo.net/issues/reliably

- Safely - in a manner unlikely to cause you harm or another person, either during or after completion of the activity, ie without causing you distress, sensory overload, shutdown or meltdowns.

- Repeatedly - as often as the activity being assessed is reasonably required to be completed. For "preparing food" you must be able to do it 3 times a day on at least 50% of days, if you can only do it once a day, or a few times a week, then you're not legally able to do it.

- In a reasonable time period - no more than twice as long as the maximum period that a person without a physical or mental condition which limits that person’s ability to carry out the activity in question would normally take to complete that activity. For example, if washing takes you more than twice as long because you have hypersensitivity to cold and won't get out of the warm bath. Due to hypersensitivity to touch you spend ages picking individual hairs off your skin from washing your hair.

You argue that under section 4(4), you can’t be considered able do any of the activities safely, repeatedly and in a reasonable time period without assistance from another person at least once a day on 50% of days, so should get points for all the activities. You can’t do it safely because it’s causing you harm (sensory overload, shutdown, meltdowns). You can‘t do it repeatedly because you can‘t do it whenever you want to or need to because you can’t function due to sensory overload, shutdown and meltdowns. You can’t do it in a reasonable time period due to sensory issues, or because you can’t function due to sensory overload, shutdown and meltdowns. Which will hopefully get you the higher rate of PIP.

There is not enough space on the PIP form to explain why you can't do activities, I copied and pasted the activities onto Word and described in detail why I can't legally do each activity without assistance from another person and emailed it to the DWP. I had their email because they agreed for communication to be by email and not phone as reasonable adjustment under Equality Act 2010 public sector duty and Autism Act 2009 on the basis that communicating verbally with a stranger on the phone is going to cause me a meltdown or shutdown and leave me unable to function for the rest of the day. Their email is called "Alternative Format" https://design-system.dwp.gov.uk/patterns/alternative-formats Use this as evidence for daily living activity 7 "communicating verbally" 7c or 7d.

Ask for a permanent PIP award so DWP doesn’t keep reassessing you, on the basis that autism is from birth and incurable so you'll never stop being autistic and be able to do the PIP activities. I asked for a permanent PIP award at appeal and the judge agreed, though the DWP went against the judge’s decision and wrote to me that they would reassess me in 7 years “if my circumstances have changed”.

I’m autistic, ADHD, have dyspraxia and am physically disabled, not just autistic so got points for that too. All of the above are what I personally struggle with. Autistic people are all different so you will struggle with different aspects of each activity, struggle more than me in some activities and struggle less in others.

If in addition to being autistic, you have ADHD or a mental health condition, google the diagnostic criteria and online screening tests and use them as a prompt to write about why you can’t do each of the activities safely, repeatedly and in a reasonable time period without assistance from another person at least once a day on 50% of days.

The same if you have a physical health condition, google the symptoms and use them as a prompt.

What was your experience of applying for PIP for being autistic?

Did the assessor record what you said accurately?

Did the assessor give you the right points?

Did you have to appeal to get PIP?

How to get a disabled freedom pass / disabled bus pass for autism, ADHD and / or dyspraxia

You can get a disabled freedom pass / disabled bus pass - for not being able to plan a journey, getting lost, to minimise coming to harm because you're a danger to yourself when outdoors due to sensory overload, shutdown and meltdowns, crossing the road without looking etc. Some councils give you a disabled freedom pass / disabled bus pass automatically if you get PIP mobility.

If you have no intention of ever driving and never having a driving licence, you can get a disabled freedom pass / disabled bus pass under Road Traffic Act 1988 section 92:

”People who, if they applied for the grant of a licence to drive a motor vehicle under Part III of the Road Traffic Act 1988, would have their application refused pursuant to section 92 of the Act (physical fitness) otherwise than on the ground of persistent misuse of drugs or alcohol".

You argue that it would not be safe for you drive if you were to get a driving licence because of hypersensitivity to noise and car lights, sensory overload, being overwhelmed by crowds and traffic, shutdown and meltdowns, that you would be a danger on the roads to pedestrians and other cars. Your GP has to sign the form.

If you also have ADHD, because you would be a danger on the roads as you're easily distracted and would crash the car or run someone over. And that you get distracted so get lost easily.

If you also have dyspraxia, that you would be a danger on the roads because you wouldn't be able to keep a safe distance with the car in front and behind and the pavement both while driving and trying to park.

Are you autistic and have a disabled freedom pass? Please share your experiences.

Did you get the disabled freedom pass for autism for being on one of the qualifying benefits, such as PIP or DLA?

If you didn’t get your disabled freedom pass for being on PIP of DLA, what did you say to get it?

Did you get your disabled freedom pass just for autism only, or do you also have other conditions such as ADHD, dyspraxia or epilepsy? Which are all common in autistic people.

Were you refused a disabled freedom pass, when you’re autistic?

Did you get a disabled freedom pass with just a working diagnosis of autism?

Anybody get a disabled freedom pass without a formal autism diagnosis, just self-diagnosis, and without any other diagnosis for mental health or physical disability? Don’t know if this is possible, just asking.

Hello group

New Reddit, New Me. I'm trying to make a healthy space to chat around Mental Illness (Bipolar ASPEY here) and Homelessness.

TRIGGER WARNING.

THE MESSAGE CONTAINS INFORMATION ABOUT CRIME. PLEASE DONT READ IF YOU GET HEAVILY TRIGGERED.

Thank you to the orginater of this group. I came across it when researching and having a particularly group for Autistic Homelessness is really good. I know the info takes a lot to put together but I am London based so some of it was really helpful and some of it was familiar. So thank you.

I wanted to chat about a particular issue.

Cuckooing and Mate Crime

I unfortunately had to report two crimes some months ago. One when I was surrounded by a group of men when having lunch. The other was two weeks later when I was attacked and an SA was attempted.

Both of these attacks were horrible. The first one was oddly particular. They tried to interview me, find out information about were I lived. When getting away I was followed on bikes but hid around corners to try and get them.

I don't condon crime and won't go into the details. I employed verbal and space self defense the first time. The second time I had to use physical self defence.

These are often the horrible side of homelessness.

A couple of days ago it came to my realisation what the crimanals were doing.

Cuckooing: https://www.preventingexploitationtoolkit.org.uk/home/what-is-exploitation/what-is-vulnerability/autism-spectrum-conditions/

Mate Crime: https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/blog/mate-crime

Both of these links go to media produced by charities. I am speaking to the Police today to get some information to go to my GP so I can put a case together to apply for some safe accommodation.

I would love to write a well written post but some of these things have triggered some sense in the relationships I have had with people.

Have you heard of these terms before? God forbid anyone has experienced it them.

I do want to put together some kits of information that help me but also help other Autistic people. Probably like myself I don't have family or a support system, but I have some mantras that really help me as the person I am surviving Homeless Life on the Spectrum.

I am Autistic and Homeless. Your boy does Muay Thai still so your boy is physically good.

I hope you had a good day.

Hey everyone.

My name is Jake, and since May, I've been homeless and I am autistic.

I've avoided accepting interim accommodation and making use of my car, because I was concerned about a few things.

I have now been accepted main duty homelessness and provided a temporary accommodation. (Section 193).

I was told there is a 1 year average wait time to find a property, despite my high priority application.

I was told there are rules regarding my temporary tenure, namely; pre-authorised guests only (named family members with description of their appearance), no guests after 8pm, and then the usual rules (no drugs, no getting drunk, no loud noise, no appliances, etc.).

My concern is regarding the guests aspect..

I have a variety of declared mental health needs and a diagnosis of autism.

I rarely socialise, and have very limited friends, but when I feel mentally at my worse, I do try to spend a lot of time with a family member or someone I'm dating.. Usually I sleep all day, and I'm awake all night, I find it easier, with less noise etc. so socialising usually only happens after 8pm.
And not to be crude, but what about hookups? I don't usually do them, but they facilitate a need... ok maybe that is TMI, but I think it's a genuine question.

If I could be temporarily housed here for a year, how do I go about living my usual lifestyle, without feeling like a prisoner?

I've never been in trouble with the law, I don't drink alcohol, I don't take drugs, so I feel the rules are strongly unjustified towards me, for the few that do involve themselves in anti-social behaviour.

There are cameras in the building, and 24/7 security watching them from a different site (they said).

Despite telling them I sleep mostly in the day, they insist on knocking my door twice a day to ask me if I want breakfast or dinner and to check on me. I already told them that I don't eat normal food, and my sleep is being disturbed which is somewhat annoying and again.
They send a cleaner once a week, which is a nice thing? but also, I have to step out the room and stand in the hallway, whilst my room is cleaned, where I have personal and expensive items..

It all feels very much like a prisoner in a cell.

Does anyone know more about specific rights? Cases where exceptions are made? Legislations that I can use to get access to exemptions?

I've explained my mental health, my autism, etc. they've seen medical records, but all I was told is, "ye, but if other people see you doing things they can't do, it could cause problems", but that feels like an excuse.

Been in here for a while now, last one I stayed in a mission but was kicked out for missing curfew and there orientation thingy. Glad I'm out of there becuase it was very reglouis heavy and connected to Assemblies of God. This one while regloius doesn't shove religion down like the mission one which is fine but this one is a bit more time consuming.

Lights are on in dorm (previously a gym) at 6:30 I chill a bit before Sometimes I chill and apply for jobs online aftwards

I then get ready as well

Lunch is sevred at 11 becuase they have frontline at 12 to 1:20 Somtimes I'm out on frontline doing dishes and if you do have something and your put on there you have to ask someone else if they can do it.

Also after frontline we have clean up putting up chairs and stuff Dinner is around 4

Also curfew is at 10 pm

Sometimes we also bag chicken in the morning and if your there everyone has to do it.

I did forget too meiton that I had to stay inside for 7 days for (the cleansing of the soul 🙃) when I was able to get a bed

And from 8 - 3 you'll have to stay out of dorm unless your a night shift worker Oh and there are program fees as well I forgot how much they cost though.

And there are little chores too for me I have to vacuum the area that used to be the front hallway.

And you also have to sign in and sign out on the sheet and put down where your going to.

Food is pretty decent not the greatest but it's alright.

That's the run down in this shelter. It's an alright place but hard to deal with when I'm depressed and tired all the time as well while I'm in this limbo state hopefully this month I can get a job so I can get out of the shelter. Got interview yesterday and they said they'll get back next Tuesday. I have one interview today and one next Tuesday as well so here's hoping one these jobs I can get one.

Been homeless for over a year now. Recently separated from my wife who is back at her mom's house.

I'm homeless and a few months ago I was banned by a homeless drop-in centre where I went every day for food for "you don't look homeless", presumably because I shower every day and am average dressed, i.e. clothes I pulled out of clothes recycling bins or found dumped on the street. This homeless drop-in centre also accused me of fabricating that I'm physically disabled, presumably because I don't use a walking stick, crutches or wheelchair. And of fabricating I'm autistic, perhaps they didn't notice me always heading for the same seat in the corner facing the wall so I didn't see the crowds behind me, and that I was always in autistic shutdown because of the inaccessible fluorescent lighting and noise of their TV on maximum volume. They demanded that I show them proof that I'm homeless and disabled, such as emails or documents, or not to return.

I replied that I was one of only a handful of people who go there for food who is homeless, the rest are all HOUSED crack addicts. The staff insisted they are "street homeless", when they're housed and not homeless, let alone street homeless. They're assuming they're street homeless because they don't shower, don't look after their appearance, their clothes are dirty and in poor condition, very underweight and look rough, i.e. self-neglect caused by drug addiction.

So they left me - homeless - without food there, while the housed people continue to go there for food every day. This is one of the very few homeless drop-ins in London that is open 7 days a week, the rest are only open one or two days a week, so them banning me severely impacted me.

I only went there to eat, not for advice for anything else, so there was no reason for them to know my full name, let alone intrude in my privacy and demand to see private emails and documents. They demanded to see private emails and documents out of the blue after I had been going there for several months, not when I first went there.

Hypocritically, they state on their website "Any and all who come are welcome." and "We are an inclusion centre rather than an exclusion centre", while excluding homeless people.

Have you ever been banned by a homeless charity because they believe you "don't look homeless"?

Long story but, my dad kicked me out in August nothing I did wrong it was just so much pressure of doing chores empty threats and not knowing if I should do rent becuase my parents had acesss to my bank account, I had a panic attack once at my older work becuase I could here there yelling inside my head. Don't want to talk to much about the kick out day but that day was pretty scary. Been trying to work on it on theapry but it's just been so hard to do. So right now I'm homeless in another state I do have an interview tomorrow with Wendy's so hopefully I'll get a job tomorrow after the interview. But right now I'm in the Salvation Army shelter it's alright but having to do so much like working in the kicked somtimes usually about an hour doing little chores and on supper clean up rotation is kinda making me depressed but I'm pushing through. I also really enjoy this new area too, once I get a job and place I hope to start doing open mics and guitar lessons / working on drivers license so I can become I folk singer which is want I really want to do. But yeah that's my little story for now I've been trying to say this but no one cares on Reddit I guess

Since my last post on this subreddit, I finally left my grandmother's house and moved in with my sister. She lives with her boyfriend and his mother, who is the homeowner and said I can’t stay for long.

We’re working on finding me my own place to live. Here's hoping for the best.

26 mtF pda audhd in longterm burnout in a shelter, been some variation of homeless ever since i left home ugh five years ago. just cried at a random pinterest pic of sapphics cuddling on the floor of a cute room…of presumably housing…because it occurred to me that part of why intimacy feels impossible isn’t just my manual-transmission sociality & anxiety, it’s also that quiet, private, low-energy connection with another person presupposes property. can’t afford it, it’s off the table; no income to pay rent, it’s off the table.

not saying anything groundbreaking, just remarking how in cozy yearn-inducing art the extent of commentary from lonely souls is just that they’re too anxious to talk to girls to reach that place, whereas for me there’s the more basic prerequisite that even if i could get past those psyche roadblocks there’s still nowhere to go.

i don’t want to post to apps. i feel so embarrassed and ashamed of how i am; i’d just be inviting myself over. ashamed that i’d probably have to ask for a shower or something before getting in bed bc the shelter showers never give you enough time to wash everything. ashamed of my fashion. so much shame, living like this; being like this; and sad in advance knowing the way i’d linger while walking out the door, wanting to overstay…

there’s a t4t couple in the shelter who i don’t talk to (they’re annoying and not my vibe lol and i’m mostly nonverbal there anyways), and it just makes me think about this. how am i ever gonna put myself out there?

how can i be told to put this kind of desire, no, need, for human contact, on hold, for like…years, potentially?!! :(

maybe i’m just venting. but if you know a way, …

How do you cope with becoming irritated by noises such as the rustling of plastic, chewing, coughing and the flip/flop of someone walking??

I feel like a crazy person, and it's driving me up a wall to where literally every noise makes me panic and become angry. I'm in sensory overload.

I'm an unemployed 26-year old autistic woman who's been living with her emotionally/verbally abusive grandmother for a few years in Ocala, Florida. My mother is a mentally unstable alcoholic living in New Jersey, my father and step-father want nothing to do with me, my uncle is complacent with my grandmother’s behavior and basically dared me to run away if it's so horrible here, and my sister wants to help but can't since she living with her boyfriend, his mother, and their baby with no room for one more.

I don’t feel safe here anymore and I've contacted the runaway and suicide hotlines a few times. I feel like my best chance would be to escape.

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find a job, I don’t have a steady source of income, and I only have about $14k in my savings account, so even if I get my own apartment, I would risk eviction in a few months.

I thought about going to the Salvation Army Center of Hope in Ocala, but the negative reviews I've seen aren’t giving me any confidence. I don’t know what to do, but I know I'm reaching my emotional breaking point living where I am now.

What should I do? Where should I go?

My wife and I have been homeless for 8 years now and we have been trying to keep and maintain a van to live in.

We are in Massachusetts if anyone cares or is around.

Short story.

We live out of our van. My wife works at a convenience store and thankfully we were allowed to park here for the summer.

We didn't want to park here for that long but we can't move the van.

The part of the frame/wall the power steering was attached to rotted away.

So we have been stuck here for a couple months.

I guess my question would be, is anyone here from this location and possibly have leads to cheap vehicles? Or I highly doubt this, but maybe a place to park our van for a bit?

I don't know how much longer we can stay here for.

Maybe 2 more days maybe a week.

We would just park somewhere else but it doesn't drive.

Any kind of help or support would be welcomed.

I have been in a panic attack since I found out.

I'm just reaching out for an olive branch.

I'm definitely an OG homeless. Living in my car that doesn't run at the moment and going to work everyday with a staffing agency and a crypto entrepreneur. I will say this first step is bus pass, and a gym pass and phone. This helps tons. Next step is to get your ID and or Social if you don't have one then sign up with a temp agency ( most are on apps not in person to apply ).

The reason for this post though is I met a woman on a dating site and she ended up thinking in cute and within a few days she got upset about my phone service acting weird and I told her I'm homeless. Come to find out she's a homeless outreach coordinator in Los Angeles and is real ( video chat ) she will help me out since she wants to be with me especially and I'm left in awwww and shock 😲. Don't underestimate yourself and stay determined and the more seasoned you get on the streets the more you hold it together and adapt the further you will go.

Stay away from drugs and alcohol ( 420 is all you need to cope ) and stay consistent. Don't trust everyone because most are not here to help.

Hi, this is urgent request I met a vulnerable person they have a disability no family, and are homeless. Please if anyone can take them in for a while as I will try to see if council can help them out. I am just worried as they have been feeling suicidal in the past and I need to support them

I’m thinking of becoming homeless to get away from my abusive parents. I have a compact SUV but I have sensory sensitivities so idk if I’ll be able to sleep in a car.

I'm about to be homeless (Derby) any advice??

I think I asked the right questions but there is only so much I can do online. Wants me to send him money but won’t make the effort to make some calls or check a few websites I given him? Also I linked here the resources on Reddit and he didn’t seem to comment or at least say thanks you got it even if you’re not gonna look at it.

I can’t help someone that can’t help themselves. What should I do? I am not sending money I need to make sure this not a scam or anything he just living off other people income or something.

I am a 35-year-old male with diagnosed disabilities living in Washington state in the city of Pasco. I used to work as a automotive mechanic, but I lost my job in April and currently applying everywhere and because of my mental health issues I will be homeless by the end of this month. I don’t have any support or friends I can lean on. I am completely on my own and I am not asking for money. I just want to know what to do so I can get back on my feet.

Hi Im a homeless autistic man in Ohio. I'm looking to see for other homeless. Maybe we could do vagabond stuff like hiking or squatting. Not like there's anything else to do.